Tim Hardwick
A Chinese court has agreed to hear a lawsuit against Apple from Beijing Bodyreader, a developer seeking about $420,000 in damages after its app for correcting children's posture was removed from the App Store in 2020.
Bloomberg reports that the case, the first of its kind to be heard in Beijing's intellectual property court, has similarities to Epic Games' 2021 lawsuit against Apple. Bodyreader claims Apple unfairly removed its app, citing “unfair” behavior, and is also challenging the company’s 30% commission on app purchases and its control over the iOS ecosystem.
According to court documents reviewed by Bloomberg, Bodyreader claims Apple’s enforcement of App Store policies is inconsistent. The developer notes that after its original app was removed, it successfully published an identical app under a different name, “Qilin Century,” which remains available on the App Store. The closed-door hearing began Thursday and could conclude this week.
The hearing marks the first time Apple has been forced to defend its standard mobile platform practices against a Chinese developer. Apple successfully fought off antitrust charges from a Chinese consumer earlier this year, but the company still went so far as to appeal the ruling to remove references to its market dominance.
Bodyreader is seeking monetary damages, an apology, and a declaration that Apple is engaging in unfair monopolistic behavior. The developer also asked Apple to allow third-party app stores and external payment links.
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Tags: Apple Antitrust, China[ 35 comments ]
